Salt Lake Council's plan to limit ownership of chickens, bees creates unhappy buzz

Salt Lake City was talking about the birds and the bees Thursday night.

With the City Council considering new laws for urban beekeepers and chicken owners, beekeepers were buzzing and chicken owners clucking some disapproval over restrictions in the proposed laws.

Under the proposed ordinances, residents could keep up to 10 hives and between two and 12 chickens, depending on the size of their lots.

The city currently allows up to 25 chickens, and Brit Merrill, of Wasatch Community Gardens, and others told the Deseret News the proposed restrictions seemed "arbitrary."

"If you're going to have chickens, you're going to have chickens," she said. "Having two more on a smaller lot is not that big of a deal."

Chicken owners also said the 50-foot setback from a neighbor's home would also preclude a large number of residents from keeping coops.

Jonathan Krausent, who has beehives and chicken coops, said his hobbies have not led to nuisance complaints but have improved relationships with neighbors.

"I've never had a neighbor of mine turn down fresh eggs or honey," he said.

Merrill said her beehives have improved her vegetable garden and cut down on trips to the store. She said her bees and chickens attract more friendly visits from neighbors than angry phone calls and have led to others taking up the hobby.

"They're so fun to watch and their eggs are so delicious," she said.

The proposed ordinances would require beekeepers and chicken owners to register with the city and perform regular maintenance and cleanups.

Beehives were allowed in agricultural parts of the city until 1995, when a scare over a species of aggressive bees led to a ban.

But beekeepers said their hives have never been a problem.

"It's been a sweet experience," one said, earning chuckles from council members.

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com